US News

Why ‘selfie’ won word of the year

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Obama (R) and British Prime Minister David Cameron pose for a picture with Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt

Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron pose for a selfie with Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt.

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“Selfie” – a self portrait usually on a smartphone or webcam – was selected word of the year on Tuesday by the Oxford Dictionaries, based on a 17,000 percent rise in its usage from a year ago.

“Selfie” – a self portrait usually on a smartphone or webcam – was selected word of the year on Tuesday by the Oxford Dictionaries, based on a 17,000 percent rise in its usage from a year ago. Here are 21 reasons why...

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MariahCarey

MariahCarey

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Alessandra Ambrosio

Alessandra Ambrosio

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Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber

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Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming

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Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

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Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

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Nicki Minaj has some serious competition for most for her raunchy selfies

Nicki Minaj has some serious competition for the most raunchy selfie.

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Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus

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Meryl Streep uses her IPhone to take a photo of her and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

Female powerhouses Meryl Streep and Hillary Clinton snap a selfie on Streep's IPhone.

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astronaut Aki Hoshide, Expedition 32 flight engineer, uses a digital still camera to expose a photo of his helmet visor during the mission's third session of extravehicular activity

Japanese astronaut Aki Hoshide selfies out in space.

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@SpideyNikka snaps a selfie while his business teacher Susana Halleck starts going into labor -- it quickly went viral.

In one of the most viral selfies ever, @SpideyNikka snaps one as his business teacher Susana Halleck starts going into labor.

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Michelle Obama, left, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., takes a picture with a supporter after speaking at a rally at Buchtel High School

Even the first lady is not afraid of a selfie! An excited supporter takes a selfie with Michelle Obama after a rally at Buchtel High School during the 2008 presidential campaign.

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Luisa Zissman

Luisa Zissman

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Keith Urban takes a selfie photo with a Police Officer fan

New York City police officer selfies with Keith Urban.

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take "selfies" in front of a painting by British street artist Banksy

A New Yorker selfies in front of graffiti by British street artist Banksy.

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Lance Bass (left), Joey Fatone and the Aflac Duck caught taking a selfie while enjoying the New York City skyline.

Lance Bass (left), Joey Fatone and the Aflac Duck selfie with the New York City skyline.

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Maria Bello, Blair Underwood, Debra Messing, Mariska Hargitay and Danny Pino (L-R) take a selfie during an unveiling ceremony honoring Hargitay with the 2,511th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Maria Bello, Blair Underwood, Debra Messing, Mariska Hargitay and Danny Pino (L-R) excitedly selfie at the unveiling of Hargitay's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Brad Pitt poses for a photo with a fan upon arrival at the South Korea

Brad Pitt smiles for a selfie with a fan after arriving in South Korea.

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Allowing a senior at the senior center to make a "selfie" photo with him is former Congressman ANTHONY WEINER, candidate for Mayor of the City of New York City

A woman snaps a selfie with former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who was running for Mayor of New York City. (Apparently, he's taking a break from the crotch-ies.)

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David Beckham poses for a photograph with unidentified fan during a media event, in a sports store, on the Champs Elysees Avenue, in Paris.

David Beckham poses for a selfie with a fan on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

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Pope Francis has his picture taken inside St. Peter's Basilica with youths from the Italian Diocese of Piacenza and Bobbio who came to Rome for a pilgrimage

Pope Francis has a selfie pic taken inside St. Peter's Basilica with Italian kids who came to Rome for a pilgrimage.